Quick-release caster assembly
A quick-release caster assembly includes a wheel mount caster section having an outwardly extending support strut, at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereon and a connector plate mounted on the inner end thereof. A caster section mounting structure is includes a hollow mounting body having a forward opening, a first engagement plate partially closing a portion of the forward opening and a second engagement plate movably mounted thereon operative to alternatively partially close and open a second portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining the connector plate within the hollow mounting body behind the first and second engagement plates thereby releasably securing the wheel mount caster section on the caster section mounting structure.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to caster assemblies and, more particularly, to a quick-release caster assembly for use primarily with floor pressure washing devices, the caster assembly including a wheel mount caster section having an outwardly extending support strut, at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the support strut, and a connector plate mounted on an inner end of the support strut, and a caster section mounting structure mountable on the floor pressure washer which includes a hollow mounting body having a forward opening for receiving the connector plate, a first engagement plate mounted on the hollow mounting body which partially closes a first portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining a first portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body, and a second engagement plate movably mounted on the hollow mounting body, the second engagement plate operative to partially close a second portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining a second portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body such that the connector plate and hence the wheel mount caster section may be removably mounted on the caster section mounting structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Caster assemblies are used in connection with supporting and facilitating movement of many different kinds of objects. Typically, a caster assembly would include at least one wheel rotatably mounted on a lower portion of the caster assembly to engage the floor surface over which the object is being moved and a wheel support structure which is connected to and mounted on the object which supports the wheel below the lower most point of the object. Many different kinds of caster assemblies are used in the prior art, with the vast majority being permanently affixed to the object on which they are mounted. Unfortunately, this permanent affixation of the caster assembly to the particular object is often undesirable, as there are times where disengagement of the caster assembly from the object is required, such as when the object is to be stored in a stationary position or when the object is to be more securely supported by the floor surface on which it is resting. Removal of these caster assemblies is very time-consuming and labor-intensive, and therefore there is a need for caster assemblies which are removable from the object on which they are mounted.
Several different devices have been proposed in the prior art which attempt to address and solve this particular problem, including such devices as Wattron. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,974, Termini, U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,663, and Powell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,133, each of which disclose removably attachable caster wheel assemblies. However, each of the cited prior art devices include inherent deficiencies such as an inability to support relatively heavy loads, an inability to be quickly connected and disconnected from the object on which they are removably mounted, and the requirement of tools to enable the user to remove and replace the caster assembly from the object. There is therefore a need for a quick-release caster assembly which provides a superior solution to the deficiencies found in the prior art.
In particular, power washing devices for floors generally include caster assemblies mounted on the outer edges of the floor-engaging hood which covers and encloses the rotating spray jets which spray the floor surface. At the present time, the caster assembly on such devices are permanently affixed thereto, as there has been an unrecognized need for such removable casters. By permitting the caster assemblies to be removed from the power washer unit, storage of the power washer unit is greatly facilitated as the power washer unit will not accidently roll away from the original storage location at which the device is placed. Also, it has been found that the caster assemblies of such floor cleaning devices often become dirt and grime-encrusted over the lifetime of use of the power washing device. When the caster assemblies are coated in such dirt and grime, the floor cleaning process is rendered more difficult in that the caster assemblies themselves contribute to the degradation in cleanliness of the floor surface. By including removable casters, which are not currently available, the user of the power washing device would need only to remove the caster assemblies, wash the caster assemblies in any available washing location, and replace the caster assemblies on the power washing device, thus eliminating that problem. There is therefore a need for a removable caster assembly for mounting on a floor power washer, which is not currently available in the prior art.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release caster assembly for mounting on an object for rollable movement thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release caster assembly which is particularly designed for mounting on floor pressure washers to facilitate both cleaning and storage of the floor pressure washer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved quick-release caster assembly which includes a wheel mount caster section and a caster section mounting structure, the caster section mounting structure adapted to be mounted on the object to which the caster assembly is to be removably mounted, the wheel mount caster section being releasably mounted within the caster section mounting structure to permit quick removal and replacement of the wheel mount caster section thereon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved quick-release caster assembly which is usable in connection with many different objects merely by mounting the caster section mounting structure on the object.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release caster assembly which is relatively simple and durable in construction and which is safe, effective and efficient in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a quick-release caster assembly for mounting on an object for rollable movement thereof which includes a wheel mount caster section having an outwardly extending support strut, at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the support strut and a connector plate mounted on an inner end of the support strut. The caster assembly further includes a caster section mounting structure adapted to be mounted on an object to which the caster assembly is to be removably mounted, the caster section mounting structure including a hollow mounting body having a forward opening for receiving the connector plate of the wheel mount caster section and a first engagement plate mounted on the hollow mounting body for partially closing a first portion of the forward opening thereby releasably retaining a first portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body. A second engagement plate is movably mounted on the hollow mounting body, the second engagement plate operative to alternatively partially close and open a second portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining a second portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body such that upon the second engagement plate being moved to open the second portion of the forward opening, the connector plate of the wheel mount caster section is insertable and removable through the forward opening of the hollow mounting body. Finally, the first and second engagement plates of the caster section mounting structure cooperate to releasably secure the connector plate of the wheel mount caster section within the hollow mounting body thereby releasably securing the wheel mount caster section on the caster section mounting structure.
The quick-release caster assembly of the present invention as thus described provides a substantial advantage over other caster assemblies found in the prior art. For example, because the caster assembly may be removed from and replaced on the object merely by moving the second engagement plate to release or retain the connector plate within the hollow mounting body, it is extremely simple to remove and replace the wheel mount caster section from the caster section mounting structure, a feature not found in many caster assemblies found in the prior art. Furthermore, because of the design of the releasable connection between the connector plate and the caster section mounting structure, it is highly unlikely that the wheel mount caster section will be accidently dislodged from the caster section mounting structure, thus virtually eliminating the possibility of damage or destruction occurring to the object being supported by the quick-release caster assembly of the present invention. Also, when the present invention is used in connection with floor pressure washers, the quick-release capabilities of the present invention greatly facilitate the cleaning and/or storage of the floor pressure washer, a feature not found in currently available floor pressure washers. It is therefore seen that the quick-release caster assembly of the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those caster assemblies found in the prior art.
The quick-release caster assembly 10 of the present invention is shown best in
As shown best in
Turning now to the main focus of the present invention, the quick-release caster assembly 10 is shown best in
Mounted on the inner end of support strut 14 is a generally rectangular connector plate 24 which extends generally perpendicular to the support strut 14, as shown best in
The wheel mount caster section 12 is releasably retained within the caster section mounting structure 30, which is shown best in
Mounted on the lower portion of the hollow mounting body 32 and partially covering the forward opening 34 is a first engagement plate 40 which, in the preferred embodiment, would be a generally L-shaped metal block having generally perpendicular base and front walls 42 and 44 and an angled rear wall 46 which extends between and generally connects the edges of the front and base walls 42 and 44, as shown best in
Slidably mounted within upright channels 36a and 36b of hollow mounting body 32 is a second engagement plate 50 which, in the preferred embodiment, would consist of a generally rectangular metal plate having left and right lower flanges 52a and 52b which extend outwards generally perpendicular from the second engagement plate 50, as shown best in
In the preferred embodiment, the second engagement plate 50 would be biased downwards by a pair of biasing springs 56a and 56b which would be mounted within a respective one of the upright channels 36a and 36b above the left and right flanges 52a and 52b when the second engagement plate 50 is slidably housed within the hollow mounting body 32. The biasing springs 56a and 56b are preferably coil springs which act to force the second engagement plate 50 downwards relative to the hollow mounting body 32, as shown best in
The wheel mount caster section 12 would be secured within the caster section mounting structure 30 in the following manner. The pull ring 54 mounted on second engagement plate 50 would be grasped by the user and biased upwards, as shown in
Once the connector plate 24 is placed within the hollow mounting body 32 through forward opening 34, the wheel mount caster section 12 is tilted upwards to align the connector plate 24 in a generally upright configuration, as shown in
One of the unique features of the present invention when used in connection with a floor power washing device 80 is that when the wheel mount caster section 12 is removed from the caster section mounting structure 30, the floor power washing device 80 can be used to clean walls, instead of being limited to only floor cleaning. Standard floor power washers cannot be used for wall cleaning, due to their permanently mounted caster assemblies, and therefore the usefulness of those devices is restricted. By using the present invention in connection with floor power washing device 80, the potential number and types of uses of such devices is greatly increased, and therefore the present invention provides substantial improvements over caster assemblies currently found in the prior art.
It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the quick-release caster assembly 10 of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For example, although the caster section mounting structure 30 has been described with some particularity, modifications to the structure may be undertaken so long as the intended functional feature of providing a slidably mounted second engagement plate 50 which releasably engages the wheel mount caster section 12 is generally maintained. Furthermore, the precise size, shape, and construction materials used in connection with the quick-release caster assembly 10 may be modified or changed so long as the intended functional characteristics of the present invention are maintained. Also, although the quick-release caster assembly 10 of the present invention has been described as being used in connection with a floor power washing device 80, the present invention may be mounted on many different types of objects where use of a caster would be beneficial, and the same functional features which render the quick-release caster assembly 10 ideally suited for use with a floor power washing device 80 would be transferred to the new object, particularly in permitting safe and efficient storage and positioning of the object after movement of the object is no longer required. Finally, it should be noted that although the present invention has been described as being primarily designed for use with a caster which includes at least one wheel, the wheeled caster may be replaced by other support devices such as support legs, skids, runners or other such support structures, any of which may be used with the quick-release caster assembly described herein.
There has therefore been shown and described a quick-release caster assembly 10 which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.
Claims
1. A quick-release caster assembly for mounting on an object for rollable movement thereof comprising;
- a wheel mount caster section including; an outwardly extending support strut; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said support strut; a connector plate mounted on an inner end of said support strut;
- a caster section mounting structure adapted to be mounted on an object to which said caster assembly is to be removably mounted, said caster section mounting structure including; a hollow mounting body having a forward opening for receiving said connector plate of said wheel mount caster section; a first engagement plate mounted on said hollow mounting body partially closing a first portion of said forward opening for releasably retaining a first portion of said connector plate within said hollow mounting body; a second engagement plate movably mounted on said hollow mounting body; said second engagement plate operative to alternatively partially close and open a second portion of said forward opening for releasably retaining a second portion of said connector plate within said hollow mounting body such that upon said second engagement plate being moved to open said second portion of said forward opening, said connector plate of said wheel mount caster section is insertable and removable through said forward opening of said hollow mounting body; and
- said first and second engagement plates of said caster section mounting structure cooperating to releasably secure said connector plate of said wheel mount caster section within said hollow mounting body thereby releasably securing said wheel mount caster section on said caster section mounting structure.
2. The quick-release caster assembly of claim 1 wherein said first engagement plate comprises a generally L-shaped metal block having generally perpendicular base and front walls and an angled rear wall which extends between and generally connects the edges of the front and base walls.
3. The quick-release caster assembly of claim 1 wherein said hollow mounting body further comprises left and right generally parallel spaced apart upright channels formed adjacent said forward opening within said hollow mounting body.
4. The quick-release caster assembly of claim 3 wherein said second engagement plate comprises a generally rectangular metal plate having left and right lower flanges which extend outwards generally perpendicular from said second engagement plate, said left and right flanges adapted to fit within said upright channels whereby said second engagement plate is slidably mounted within said upright channels of said hollow mounting body.
5. The quick-release caster assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one biasing spring mounted within said hollow mounting body in operative connection with said second engagement plate for biasing said second engagement plate to partially close said second portion of said forward opening for releasably retaining said second portion of said connector plate within said hollow mounting body.
6. The quick-release caster assembly of claim 1 wherein said connector plate is mounted on said support strut, extends generally perpendicular thereto and is generally rectangular in shape.
7. In combination:
- a floor power washing device comprising a generally cylindrical base cover hood, at least one spray nozzle mounted under said base cover hood, handle means mounted on and extending upwards from said base cover hood and trigger means for permitting pressurized liquid flow to said at least one spray nozzle; and
- at least one quick-release caster assembly comprising;
- a wheel mount caster section including; an outwardly extending support strut; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said support strut; a connector plate mounted on an inner end of said support strut;
- a caster section mounting structure mounted on said base cover hood of said floor power washing device, said caster section mounting structure including; a hollow mounting body having a forward opening for receiving said connector plate of said wheel mount caster section; a first engagement plate mounted on said hollow mounting body partially closing a first portion of said forward opening for releasably retaining a first portion of said connector plate within said hollow mounting body; a second engagement plate movably mounted on said hollow mounting body; said second engagement plate operative to alternatively partially close and open a second portion of said forward opening for releasably retaining a second portion of said connector plate within said hollow mounting body such that upon said second engagement plate being moved to open said second portion of said forward opening, said connector plate of said wheel mount caster section is insertable and removable through said forward opening of said hollow mounting body; and
- said first and second engagement plates of said caster section mounting structure cooperating to releasably secure said connector plate of said wheel mount caster section within said hollow mounting body thereby releasably securing said wheel mount caster section on said caster section mounting structure.
8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said first engagement plate comprises a generally L-shaped metal block having generally perpendicular base and front walls and an angled rear wall which extends between and generally connects the edges of the front and base walls.
9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said hollow mounting body further comprises left and right generally parallel spaced apart upright channels formed adjacent said forward opening within said hollow mounting body.
10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said second engagement plate comprises a generally rectangular metal plate having left and right lower flanges which extend outwards generally perpendicular from said second engagement plate, said left and right flanges adapted to fit within said upright channels whereby said second engagement plate is slidably mounted within said upright channels of said hollow mounting body.
11. The combination of claim 7 further comprising at least one biasing spring mounted within said hollow mounting body in operative connection with said second engagement plate for biasing said second engagement plate to partially close said second portion of said forward opening for releasably retaining said second portion of said connector plate within said hollow mounting body.
12. The combination of claim 7 wherein said connector plate is mounted on said support strut, extends generally perpendicular thereto and is generally rectangular in shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 7, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 14, 2008
Inventors: Ghassem Zarbi (Abbotsford), Rory Bjarnason (Abbotsford)
Application Number: 11/483,291